Welcome back to the Gestational Diabetes Nurse Podcast. I am your host, Sarah, and today’s episode is emotional, empowering, and packed with real life birth wisdom.

Today I am joined by Sarah Osborne, a birth doula, birth photographer, childbirth educator, and doula mentor based in the Pacific Northwest. She has supported over 900 families since 2008 and is deeply passionate about helping parents feel confident, supported, and ready for birth. She is a mom of three, fueled by coffee, good music, and a huge love for birth work. Her happy place is Disneyland Main Street with a Starbucks in hand ❤️

Follow Sarah here: @the.expert.doula @thebirthcollectivepnw www.theexpertdoula.com www.thebirthcollectivepnw.com

In this powerful episode, Sarah shares her personal journey through gestational diabetes, a traumatic birth, a high risk pregnancy, and being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. We talk about true advocacy in the hospital, what it means to speak up for your care, and how life changing it can be to have a doula by your side.

This episode is for every mama who wants to feel informed, supported, and confident walking into birth.

00:00 Welcome 00:34 Meet Sarah Osborne 01:32 Becoming a doula 03:17 Traumatic birth 03:48 High risk pregnancy 05:20 Labor challenges 11:01 NICU and postpartum 13:36 Type 1 diabetes diagnosis 19:11 Advocacy for your family 23:14 Why doulas matter 28:00 Client birth story 37:59 Final advice 40:05 Outro

Grab the GDM Bundle for instant help with meals, fasting blood sugars, and postpartum support from a high risk OB and Labor and Delivery nurse.

📩 Have questions or want personal support? DM me on Instagram and I will message you back @gestational.diabetes.nurse

You do not have to do this alone.

Your voice matters. Your choices matter. Your support system matters. If this episode helped you, share it with another mama who needs this today.

XO,

Sara💗

Hey mama 👋 If you’re worried about managing gestational diabetes during the holidays, this episode will help you stay confident and calm while still enjoying every celebration. I’m sharing simple tips to keep blood sugar levels stable, support a healthy pregnancy, and avoid feeling restricted around holiday food.

You’ll learn: ✨ The hydration trick that supports steady blood sugar 🍽 How to build a balanced holiday plate for gestational diabetes 🥗 Smart dishes to bring to holiday parties 💃 Fun ways to keep moving after meals to lower glucose 🍰 How to enjoy holiday desserts without guilt or spikes 📈 What to do if your blood sugar is high 💛 Self compassion strategies for mental and emotional support with GDM

The goal is joy not fear. You deserve a holiday filled with comfort and connection while still protecting your baby and your health.

If you want more guidance, the GDM Bundle is on sale this week 🎁 👉 https://learn.gdmnurse.com/home Use code blackfriday for 50% OFF

You are doing an amazing job and you are not alone.

⏱ Episode Timeline 00:00 Welcome to the Gestational Diabetes Nurse Podcast 00:37 Navigating holiday stress with gestational diabetes 01:23 Hydration tips for stabilizing blood sugar 02:12 How to balance your plate during holiday meals 04:09 Bringing safe dishes to holiday parties 05:00 Movement after meals for lowering glucose 05:47 Choosing holiday indulgences wisely 06:50 What to do if blood sugar spikes 08:21 Why you should not skip meals 08:53 Grace and self compassion during the holidays 09:38 Final tips and resources

⚠️ Disclaimer This podcast is for education only and not medical advice. Always follow your OB, MFM, endocrinologist, or healthcare provider for your personal medical care

Welcome to the Gestational Diabetes Nurse Podcast! I'm Sara, a high-risk OB nurse, labor and delivery nurse, and a proud mama of two boys.

In this episode, I'm debunking common myths that hold us back from seeking the support we need during our GDM journeys. We dive deep into reasons like 'I can't afford it,' 'My blood sugars are fine,' 'It's just a few more weeks,' and so much more.

I also introduce you to the GDM Mama membership, designed to offer individualized, nurse-led guidance to empower you through your pregnancy and beyond. Join today and transform your experience from overwhelmed to empowered. https://gdmnurse.com/

00:00 Welcome to the Gestational Diabetes Nurse Podcast

00:35 The Struggles of Seeking Support

01:02 Financial Concerns and Health Priorities

02:04 The Importance of Personalized Care

03:45 The Final Weeks of Pregnancy

04:19 Overcoming Overwhelm and Fatigue

04:45 Investing in Yourself

05:20 Introducing the GDM Mama Membership

05:56 Addressing Common Fears and Misconceptions

07:41 The Limitations of Generic Advice

08:16 The Importance of Being Informed

08:58 Postpartum and Long-Term Health

09:24 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

10:10 Closing Remarks and Membership Invitation

Disclaimer: The information shared on The Gestational Diabetes Nurse Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be taken as a substitute for professional medical care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor, midwife, or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about your own health, pregnancy, or medical conditions. Listening to this podcast does not create a nurse–patient relationship. I am sharing from my experience as a high-risk OB nurse and labor & delivery nurse, but every mama’s body and pregnancy is unique. Never ignore professional medical advice or delay seeking care because of something you heard here.